Marissa’s Story

Marissa battled substance use disorder for 10 years before she was able to heal and recover. By her own account, her life was in shambles… until she found Herren Project. She is now approaching 5 years in recovery and doing better than ever.

Marissa began experimenting with substances around age 13 as a way to fit in and connect with her peers. As the years went on, her addiction became more and more severe as she started using opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers. In her early twenties, she found herself homeless on the streets with nowhere to turn. Even when her baby girl was born addicted to heroin, it still didn’t click that she needed help.

After spending a night in jail, Marissa went to go see Chris Herren speak and that is the day that changed her life. She knew she had to get clean for herself, for her family and for her daughter.

Herren Project helped Marissa get into treatment and provided her with the unwavering support she needed for sobriety to finally stick. After treatment, she was placed into recovery housing on a Herren Project recovery scholarship and took the necessary steps to continue building on her recovery.

Now, Marissa feels empowered, capable and strong. She has a full-time job and her own business. She is a loving mother, girlfriend and family member. She says she truly would not be the person she is today without Herren Project.

See how Marissa took back here life with the help of Herren Project in this short documentary.

If you’d like to support Herren Project’s efforts to help people like Marissa, donate here.

Your contribution matters and we thank you in advance for your generosity and your desire to help people heal.